Headlines

The Ranger

Ryan Blake Hanway (Myers), 22, went before Riverton Circuit Court Judge Wesley Roberts on two charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery in the Hudson double homicide, robbery and arson case.

Fifth Hudson suspect in court Friday

Mar 18, 2012 - By Christina George, Staff Writer

The fifth suspect arrested in the Hudson double homicide, robbery and arson case made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon.

Ryan Blake Hanway (Myers), 22, went before Riverton Circuit Court Judge Wesley Roberts on two charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

The charges against the Riverton man stem from the November deaths of Eric Clinton Likes, 42, of Hudson, and his girlfriend, Elva Charlotte Quiver, 20, of the Wind River Indian Reservation, and the subsequent robbery and arson at the couple's trailer home in Hudson.

"The affidavit is lengthy... eight pages long and 85 paragraphs," Roberts told Ryan Hanway during Friday's 20-minute hearing, referring to the court document that outlines the allegations against the defendant.

Fremont County deputy attorney Bob Bundy argued that the $1 million cash bond previously set should continue because prosecutors are "talking about violent, heinous crimes."

Ryan Hanway told Roberts he's been a resident of Fremont County for about 12 years and that his parents live in the area. He said he is unemployed.

Roberts said because of concern about the health and risk of the community he would continue the previously set bail.

He is the fifth suspect identified in the case. He and his four alleged accomplices are expected back in court for preliminary hearings Wednesday morning.

Laziur Stephen Hanway Jr., 19, his sister, Samantha June Hanway, 20, both of Ethete, Joseph Jude Jenkins, 20, of Arapahoe, and Jude Blackburn, 15, of Riverton, all are facing several felony charges including first-degree murder, robbery and arson.

Prosecutors could seek the death penalty for all of the suspects if convicted of the crimes, with the exception of Blackburn, due to his age.

According to charging documents, it's alleged that Ryan Hanway was involved in planning the crimes that occurred last November. Samantha Hanway reportedly told investigators Ryan Hanway provided tips to the others involved when committing the crimes including to "use guns, no phones, and scope the scene."

Jenkins told police that he, Ryan Hanway and Laziur Hanway drove to the area of Likes's and Quiver's trailer home one or two days prior to the couple's deaths on Nov. 15 in an attempt to "scope the house."

On Nov. 15, some of the suspects allegedly went to the residence and stabbed Likes and Quiver to death and returned two days later to torch the trailer house with the two bodies still inside.